Retainer valve assembly for syringe

ABSTRACT

A retainer valve assembly for a syringe including a body portion with means thereon for mounting the valve assembly in the barrel of a syringe. The assembly also includes a valve portion movably mounted on the body portion and normally being seated in a central opening in the body portion to form a seal and isolate one end portion of the syringe from the other end portion. The valve member is responsive to a predetermined amount of pressure from either end portion of the syringe so that it will unseat from the body portion when the pressure is applied to permit fluid to flow from one end portion of the syringe to the other end portion. When the pressure is relieved, the valve member will return to its normal seated position to thereby re-form the seal between the end portions of the syringe and alleviate the danger of leakage from the syringe when the predetermined amount of pressure is not being applied.

United States Patent East Rutherford, NJ.

[54] RETAINER VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR SYRINGE 5 Claims, ll Drawlng Flgs.

128/232 [51 l Int. Cl 865d 37/00 [50] Field of Search 222/207,

I 56 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.300.273 l0/l942 Connell137/493 X 3,2l5.l42 ll/l965 Buono 123/232 3.245.428 4/l966 Klimak etal..... 137/493 3,337.]24 8/l967 De Molin et al. 222/209x 3,40l,6959/1968 Rosenberg et al. 128/232 FOREIGN PATENTS Sol .368 8/1958 Canada128/232 Primary Examiner- Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-John P.Shannon. Jr Atromeyl(ane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan and Kurucz ABSTRACT:A retainer valve assembly for a syringe including a body portion withmeans thereon for mounting the valve assembly in the barrel ofa syringe.The assembly also includes a valve portion movably mounted on the bodyportion and normally being seated in a central opening in the bodyportion to form a seal and isolate one end portion of the syringe fromthe other end portion. The valve member is responsive to a predeterminedamount of pressure from either end portion of the syringe so that itwill unseat from the body portion when the pressure is applied to permitfluid to flow from one end portion of the syringe to the other endportion. When the pressure is relieved, the valve member will return toits normal seated position to thereby re-form the seal between the endportions of the syringe and alleviate the danger of leakage from thesyringe when the predetermined amount of pressure is not being applied.

FIG. I

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FIG. 6

FIG. 5

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ATTORNEYS RETAINER VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR SYRINGE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION In the handling of fluids. it is often desirable to transporta fluid through a flow line for a variety of reasons. For example. itmay be desirable to collect a fluid in a receptacle and transport it toa new location and then release the fluid into a different receptacle.in order to transport the fluid from one location to another itgenerally passes through a flow line. Often this flow line is used topass the fluid in both directions. that is. from a source into areceptacle and then at a later point in time out of the receptaclethrough the same flow line into a different fluid container. in devicesof this kind. it is occasionally difficult to prevent the flow or dripfrom the transporting receptacle through the flow line while the fluidis being transported. This may come from natural leakage during normalhandling procedures of the receptacle and flow line or it may come fromother types of agitation of the receptacle and flow line as it is beingtransferred. Naturally this is undesirable since it may cause loss of avaluable percentage of the fluid. creation of unsightly or undesirablecontact with other surface areas or even contamination of areas orpersons in the vicinity such as handlers of the apparatus.

It would be a considerable improvement in the art for a twoway retainervalve structure to be positioned in the flow line in order to alleviatethe danger of leakage during storage of the fluid in the transportingcontainer and yet still permit the fluid to pass in both directionsthrough the flow line when a predetermined amount of pressure is appliedin either direction.

For descriptive purposes. perhaps it would be advantageous to describean apparatus and environment wherein this type of valve structure wouldbe most helpful in accomplishing the purposes described above. Inmedical applications, a bulb type of syringe is often employed for avariety of uses. This apparatus is basically composed of a syringebarrel having a reduced forward end open at the tip and having aflexible bulb attached to the rear end of the barrel and open to theinterior of the barrel. It is a well-known procedure to collect fluidwithin such a syringe and transport it to another location and thenexpel the fluid into another receptacle for test purposes or otherreasons.

To briefly describe this procedure, when the fluid is collected, thebulb is compressed thereby expelling air from the syringe assembly andthen the open forward tip of the syringe is inserted into a fluidsource. When the bulb is released and allowed to return to its normalexpanded shape, the increase of volume in contrast to the amount of airin the syringe provides a reduction of pressure at the bulb end of thesyringe assembly. Atmospheric pressure or other outside means will. atthat time. be great enough to force fluid through the open forward tipof the syringe assembly and on through the barrel into the rear portionthereof where it is collected. The syringe as sembly is then removedfrom the fluid source and transported to a new location where pressureupon the bulb once again reduces the volume within the syringe assemblyand fluid is expelled through the forward tip of the syringe into a newreceptacle. Difficulty often arises during transportation of the syringeassembly from the fluid source to the fluid collection assembly. If thesyringe assembly is jostled in any way or tipped downwardly. fluid willsometimes leak or drip from the tip of the assembly and cause theproblem discussed above. Therefore. a two-way retainer valve assembly ofthe type previously described would be extremely advantageous wheninserted in the barrel of the syringe assembly of this type. It wouldpermit fluid to flow in both directions from the tip end into the rearend of the barrel when the fluid is collected and then from the rear endof the barrel out through the tip end when the fluid is expelled.Furthermore. it would reduce or prevent flow or drip from the syringeassembly which is fllled or partially filled with a liquid or gas whilethe assembly is being handled and trans ported to a new position orlocation.

Naturally. it would be particularly advantageous to have a valve devicewhich can be located in any location in the flow line for liquid or gas.In the syringe assembly, this would most normally be intermediate theends of the barrel portion of the syringe. The seat tension of the valveassembly would have to be able to be set to withstand the largeststanding head of gas or liquid to be applied on either side of the valveassembly. The assembly would then have to be preset to open whenpressures exceed the setting either by mechanical pressure or increasedvolumes of standing heads of liquid or gas. A two-way valve retainerassembly of this type would be extremely valuable when located in a bulbtype syringe assembly as that descriud above for normal laboratory.hospital or doctor's use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above state of the art in mind. it isa primary objective of this invention to provide a retainer valveassembly which will facilitate the reduction or prevention of flow ordrip from a container filled or partially filled with a liquid or gaswhile still allowing flow of the liquid or gas. both in or out of thecontainer assembly when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied.The valve device may be located in any part of a flow line for liquid orgas. The seat tension may be set to withstand the largest standing headof gas or liquid to be appiled on either side of the valve assembly andthe valve may be preset to open when pressures exceed the setting eitherby mechanical pressure or increased volumes of standing heads of liquidor gas. Furthermore. the valve assembly is adapted for use with asyringe in the medical fleld such as in a bulbtype syringe whereby thevalve assembly is designed to be located within the barrel of thesyringe assembly and is designed to minimize or prevent dripping ofliquid from the filled or partially filled syringe when it is handled ortransported by a user from a fluid source to a fluid collectionreceptacie.

in summary. a retainer valve assembly for a syringe or other common typeof flow line is provided which includes a body portion having meansthereon for mounting the valve assembly in the barrel of the syringeintermediate the ends of the syringe. A valve portion is movably mountedon the body portion and is normally seated in a central opening in thebody portion to form a seal and isolate one end portion of the syringefrom the other end portion. The valve member is responsive to apredetermined amount of pressure from either end portion of the syringeso as to unseat from the body portion to permit fluid to flow from oneend portion of the syringe to the other end portion thereof.Furthermore. when the pressure is relieved. the valve member will returnto its normal seated position thereby reforming the seal between theends of the syringe and alleviating the danger of lealtage from thesyringe when the predetermined amount of pressure is not being applied.

With the above objectives in mind as well as the above brief summary ofthe invention. reference is had to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is an exploded elevation view of a retainer valve assembly ofthis invention located in a bulb-type syringe;

F IG. 2 is an assembled sectional elevation view thereof;

FIG. 2a is a fragmentary assembled sectional elevation view of aretainer valve of this invention located in a bulb-type syrinp having analternative configuration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation view of thesyringe of FIG. 1 with the valve portion of the assembly shown inphantom in either of its two open positions;

"6.4 is a top sectional view thereof taken along the plane of line 4-4of FIG. 3;

Fit 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation view of anotherembodiment of the invention with the valve portion of the assembly shownin phantom in two different open positions;

FIG. 6 is a top sectional view thereof taken along the plane ofline 6-6ofFIG.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation view of a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a top sectional view thereof taken along the plane of line8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view of a stillfurther embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a top sectional view thereof taken along the plane of linel0l0 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The retainer valve assembly ofthis invention is adaptable for use in many different types ofapplications in which a flow line is employed through which fluid mayflow in both directions. By positioning the retainer valve assembly inthe flow line, in its normal closed position it produces a seal whichprevents flow or passage of any fluid from the flow line on one side ofthe assembly to the flow line on the other side of the assembly.However, the assembly is such that a sufficient amount of pressureapplied to either side of the retainer valve assembly will cause thevalve to open and permit fluid to flow in the direction of the appliedpressure. When the pressure is relieved, the valve returns to its normalclosed or seated position and the seal between the two portions of theflow line is once again intact. There are naturally many differentlocations where a valve of this type would be extremely valuable,however, for descriptive purposes in explaining the operation and use ofthe valve assembly, it will be located in a medical syringe environment.In particular, the assembly will be mounted in the barrel of a commontype of bulb syringe used in the transportation of fluids from onereceptacle to another.

FIGS. I and 2 generally show the assembled condition of the valveassembly when utilized with a bulb syringe of this type. The overallsyringe and valve assembly includes the twoway retainer valve assembly21 mounted in the barrel 22 of a bulb-type syringe. This type of syringehas a reduced forward end 23 terminating in an opened tip 24 at itsforward end. Both the barrel 22 and the forward reduced end are openedalong their entire length so as to be in communication and provide acontinuous passage between forward tip 24 and the rear rim 25 of barrel22. A flexible resilient bulb 26 is mounted on the rear end portion ofbarrel 22. This is accomplished by the presence of a reduced forwardneck 27 on bulb 26 which snugly engages the rear portion of barrel 22 incircumferential sealing engaging relationship to form the assembly. Aswill be noted in FIG. 2. the rear rim 25 of barrel 22 has an annular lip28 which aids in insuring a sealing engagement with the inner surface ofbulb 26 and the outer surface of the rear portion of barrel 22. Theextension of neck 27 onto the rear portion of barrel 22 is restricted bythe presence of a flange 29 which serves to assure that the bulb isproperly seated in assembly with the syringe barrel. When assembled, theopened rear end of barrel 22 communicates with the interior of bulb 26thereby providing a continuous passage from the tip 24 to the interior30 of bulb 26. The resilient snug engagement between neck 27 and barrel22 and the presence of lip 28 on rear rim 25 of barrel 22 assure that asealed engagement exists between the bulb and the barrel portion of thesyringe assembly.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2a of the drawings, neck 27:: of thebulb may have a diameter which facilitates its defonnation and insertioninteriorly of rear rirn 25a. The engagement would be such that a tightfrictional engagement would exist between the outer surface of neck 27aand the inner surface of the syringe barrel when the resilient deformedneck positioned within the barrel tends to assume its normal expandedconfiguration. An annular shoulder 280 may be positioned adjaeent lip25a on the interior surface of the syringe barrel to assure that asealed engagement exists between the bulb and the barrel portion of thesyringe. If desired. as shown, in this embodiment flanges 29a may bepositioned adjacent rim 25a of the syringe barrel.

With the particular type of syringe, as shown in FIGS. l-2a, theretainer valve assembly 21 is located intermediate the ends of thebarrel 22 and preferably adjacent the reduced forward portion 23 ofbarrel 22. When these elements are thus assembled, and the retainervalve assembly is in its normally closed position. the continuouspassageway between tip 24 and the interior 30 of bulb 26 is interruptedby the presence of valve assembly 21 so that no fluid may flow from oneside of assembly 21 to the other side ofassembly 2!.

Valve assembly 2] is responsive to an increase in pressure from eitherside thereof and this is controlled by the flexible resilient nature ofbulb 26. By compressing bulb 26 the volume of the assembly to the rearof valve assembly 2] is reduced thereby increasing the pressure ofwhatever fluid is contained in that volume until a predetermined pointis reached at which time valve 21 will open allowing fluid to flowforward of valve assembly 2i and out through reduced portion 23 and tip24.

In turn, when the bulb 26 is released, its natural resiliency willpermit it to return to its original normal shape thereby once againincreasing the volume rearward of valve assembly 21 resulting in areduction in pressure to the rearward side of valve assembly 21sufficient at least to permit valve 2| to return to its normal closedposition. Furthermore. if sufficient pressure exists at the portion ofthe syringe assembly forward of valve assembly 21 the valve will onceagain respond and open in the rearward direction to permit fluid to flowtherethrough and into the rear portion of barrel 22 and into cavity 30in bulb 26. When the pressure is sufficiently equalized, the valveassembly will then return to its normal sealed position. The seattension of the valve portion of valve assembly 21 may be adjusted sothat the seat tension is set to withstand the larger standing head ofgas or liquid which would then be located in the rear portion of barrel22 and within bulb 26. The setting of the valve assembly would be suchthat an increase in pressure would have to be applied to bulb 26 inorder to open valve 21 in the forward direction which would thennaturally allow fluid to flow out through tip In this manner. fluid maybe collected in the syringe assembly and the assembly carried or movedto a new location with little danger of leakage during handling ortransporting of the syringe assembly and then the fluid contained withinthe assembly expelled into a new fluid receptacle or container.

Turning to consideration of the retainer valve assembly 2t in detail,there are a variety of embodiments which this valve assembly may assume,several of which are depicted in the drawings.

For example. an initial embodiment is that depicted in FIGS. 1-4.Particular details of the assembly are to be noted in FIGS. 3 and 4.This valve assembly 2] includes a ring-shaped body portion 3] which isfrictionally mounted on the inner surface of syringe barrel 22. Bodyportion 21 may be constructed of a common resilient material and may beformed by any common method of manufacture such as a molding process. Asshown, the outer surface of ring 31 contains two rims 32 which give bodyportion or ring 31 a greater outer diameter at the location of rims 32than the inner diameter of syringe barrel 22. Therefore, rims 32 arecompressed due to their resiliency and maintain a tight sealingengagement with the syringe barrel inner wall.

Extending inwardly from ring 31 is an annular shoulder 33 approximatelycentrally located with respect to the forward and rear edges of bodyportion 31 and extending inwardly therefrom.

The valve portion of valve assembly 2| includes a flexible diaphragm ordisc 34 of any common flexible type of nonporous material and it ismounted to body portion 31 by means of an epoxy resin or other commontype of bonding means, or it may be integral therewith. The bond orconnection will occur between the outer circumferential rim of disc 34and the inner circumferential surface of shoulder 33. When thisrelationship is accomplished. diaphragm or disc 34 is permanentlymounted to body portion 31 and cannot be removed with respect thereto. Aflap is provided in diaphragm 34 by means of a cut either V-shaped asshown, or any of a number of other common configurations, through theentire width of the diaphragm. Due to the natural resiliency of thematerial chosen for diaphragm 34, flap 35 will normally remain in theclosed or sealed position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the V- shapedouter configuration of the flap surface engaged with the correspondingmating configuration of the remaining portion of the diaphragm. In thismanner, no fluid may pass between the forward end of the syringe barreland the rear end of the syringe barrel. As previously stated, diaphragm34 is of a material having a certain strength and resiliency which willpermit it to withstand a certain amount of pressure before it will bedeformed. When this threshold of pressure is reached, flap 35 will bedisplaced to either of the two phantom positions shown in FIG. 3 therebyproviding an opening for fluid to pass through valve assembly 2l. Theresistance of flap 35 to displacement can be controlled. as previouslystated by the type of material chosen for diaphragm 34 as well as thesize and shape of the V-shaped cut to form a flap 35 along with theother relative dimensions of diaphragm 34 such as width and depth. Theseparameters can be easily determined as is well known in the art byconsidering the fluids to be handled.

In operation, when it is desired to draw fluid into the syringe, bulb 26is compressed thereby reducing the volume on the rear side of retainerassembly 2] with a consequent increase in pressure which is sufficientto force flap 35 forward creating an opening through which to expel airwithin the syringe barrel which then exits through tip 24. The syringemay then be extended into a fluid source by placing the tip and forwardportion 23 therein and bulb 26 thereafter released. The resiliency ofbulb 26 will force it to return to its normal shape thereby greatlyincreasing the volume to the rear of retainer assembly 21 and permittingflap 35 to return to the closed position and to open rearwardly underthe influence of the increased pressure created by atmosphere in forcingfluid through tip 24 and rearwardly through the opening created by flap35 into barrel 22 and bulb 26. When sufficient fluid has been drawn intobarrel 22 and bulb 26, the pressure will be neutralized and the head orweight of the fluid within the syringe will cause flap 35 to return toits closed or normal potti tion. The strength of diaphragm 34 and flap35 is set by predetermined parameters so that flap 35 will not open inthe forward direction under the influence of the fluid contained withinbarrel 22 and bulb 26 alone. An additional amount of pressure will berequired to open flap 35. The syringe may now be handled and moved toany location desired without danger of leakage of any of the fluidcontained within the syringe assembly. Flap 35 will be in the closedposition and valve assembly 21 will maintain the sealed condition andwill alleviate the danger of leakage from the syringe assembly.

When the syringe is at the desired location for displacement of thefluid, the bulb 26 is once again compressed decreasing the volume in therear part of the syringe assembly and consequently increasing thepressure within the assembly to a sufficient degree to force flap 35 toopen forward and allow the fluid to flow out of barrel 22 through tip 24into the desired receptacle. When the desired amount is in thereceptacle, bulb 26 may be released and it will return to its originalshape and flap 35 will consequently return to the closed position onceagain sealing the syringe assembly and alleviating the danger of leakageof fluid from the assembly should any remain therein. The steps asoutlined above may be subsequently repeated as many times as desired inorder to transfer desired amounts of fluid from receptacle to receptaclewith minimal danger of leakage.

An alternative embodiment of the two-way retainer valve 2| is shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings in detail. Assembly 21' may be inserted ina syringe barrel 22 in place of assembly 21 of the previous embodimentand will operate in a similar manner during the same identicaloperational steps as discussed above. However, there are certainstructural differences in the assembly which should be pointed out. Thebody portion 31' of the valve assembly includes an elongated hollowcylindrical member 36 of a solid or rigid material which is tightlyengaged with the inner wall of syringe barrel 32 by frictionalengagement or by means of an epoxy or other similar bonding agent sothat a seal is formed between the two engaging surfaces. Extendinginwardly from the inner surface of cylinder 36 and approximatelycentrally located is a resilient flexible disc 37 which is permanentlymounted at its outer circumferential surface to the inner wall ofcylinder 36. This once again forms a sealing surface. Disc 37 has acentral opening 38 which provides the opening for fluid to flow betweenthe forward portion of barrel 22 and the rear portion of barrel 22 aspreviously described with respect to the initially discussed embodiment.Extending inwardly from the surface forming opening 38 on diaphragm 37is an annular rib or rim 39 which serves to form an interference fitwith the valve member 40 which is a ball shaped rigid member. Ball 40may be formed of any common type of rigid material. The flexible natureof rim 39 which has an inner diameter which is less than the outerdiameter of ball 40 forms the interference fit so that ball 40 willnormally be seated so that its outer surface is in sealing engagementwith rim 39 thereby preventing flow of fluid between the forward portionof the syringe assembly and the rear portion of the syringe assembly.When the pressure is varied to a predetermined degree ball 40 will bedisplaced either forward or rearward of rim 39 thereby providing anopening for the passage of fluid.

In order to prevent ball 40 from being displaced completely fromassembly 21', a cage 4| is provided at both the forward and rear partsof cylinder 36. Cage 4] is comprised of a group of parallel-spaced ribsextending inwardly from the inner surface of cylinder 36 and extendingtoward ball 40 from an annular base 43 but terminating before contactingdisc 37. The inner edges of each of these ribs 42 taper outwardly as itapproaches the normal location of ball 40 so as to receive ball 40 insurrounding relationship after it has been displaced and restrict itsmovement in either direction. The base portion 43 of each cage 4]contains sufficient openings to allow fluid to flow therethroughregardless of the position of ball 40 with respect to the cage. that iswhether it is being held by cage 41. is located in some intermediateposition or is in its normal closed position in engagement with rib 39.As previously discussed, the normal steps employed with the previousembodiment in use of the syringe will also serve to operate thisassembly 21' in a similar manner with ball 40 acting as the valve memberas flap 35 acted as a valve member with assembly 21.

A further embodiment is disclosed in FIGS. 7 and 8 which will operate ina similar environment and location as the embodiments previouslydiscussed. In addition, the same operational steps will also accomplishthe same results. The valve assembly 21a is a disc-shaped flexibleresilient member 44 having two annular projections 45 from its outersurface which engage with the inner surface of a syringe barrel 22 toform a sealing engagement. This sealing engagement in this embodiment aswell as in the other discussed embodiments serves to maintain theparticular valve assembly utilized in fixed position so that the fluidflow will not displace the entire assembly. A central opening 46 islocated in disc 44 which serves to provide the opening for passage offluid when the valve member is unseated. A rib 47 extends inwardlyapproximately centrally located with respect to the depth of disc 44from the surface forming hole 46. This annular rim 47 forms a shoulderwhich provides an interference fit with the valve member when it is in anormal position to provide a seal thereby preventing flow of fluidbetween the forward portion of the syringe assembly to the rear portionof the syringe assembly. In this instance. the valve member itself whenit is in normally closed position has its central portion in sealingengagement with rim 47 by means of an interference fit. This centralportion 48 is ball shaped in configuration and engages rim 47 in asimilar manner as ball 40 engaged rim 39 in the previously discussedembodiment. Extending rearwardly and forwardly from central ball-shapedportion 48 are ribbed identically shaped projecting members 49. Theserib members 49 terminate in a flanged head 50. The maximum outerdiameter of rib portions 49 is less than the diameter of the innersurface ol rim 47 so that when central ball 48 is displaced, fluid mayflow between the end portions of the syringe assembly by pressingbetween the outer edges of ribs 49 and rim 47 and also between each pairof spaced ribs 49. Each flanged head 50 serves to form a stop to preventthe valve member from being completely disengaged from body portion 44when ball 48 is displaced from engagement therewith and valve assembly21a is open. This is due to the fact that the lateral flanges on flangehead 50 have a greater diameter than opening 46 in body portion 44 sothat central ball portion 48 may only be displaced in either direction adistance equivalent to the length of projecting stem 49. In this manner,assembly 21a is kept intact during the various opening and closing stepsof the valve assembly in operation. Valve assembly 210 may besubstituted for valve assemblies 21 and 2] without detracting from theoperation of a syringe assembly into which it is placed and theoperational steps will be carried out in a similar manner.

A still further embodiment of the invention is disclosed in FIGS. 9 andwhere the corresponding valve assembly is designated as assembly 21b.Once again, assembly 21b may be substituted for valve assemblies 21, 2!and 21a in the syringe of the type previously discussed or in any otherenvironment without a change in the operational steps required inoperating the syringe assembly or in the functional operation of thevalve itself. However, there are certain structural features which aresomewhat different in this assembly 21b from the previously discussedassemblies. in this instance, body portion 51 of the valve assembly 21bis substantially identical to body portion 44 of previously discussedembodiment 210. It is a resilient flexible member in engagement with thewall of syringe barrel 22 in a similar manner and contains a centralopening 52 and an annular inwardly extending rib 53 which serves to forman interference fit with the valve member when the valve member isseated within opening 52 to create the closed position of the valve andto prevent flow between the end por tions of the syringe assembly.However. in this embodiment the valve portion is of a differentconstruction than previously disclosed in prior embodiments. However. asin the previous embodiment the valve member as an intermediateball-shaped portion 54 which forms the seal with shoulder 53 when ball54 is located in its normally closed position within opening 52 in valveassembly 21b. As previously described, the interference fit betweenball-shaped portion 54 and resilient shoulder 53 forms the seal.

Extending rearward from ball-shaped portion 54 is a ribbed member 55which tapers as it extends away from ball portion 54 from a diameter notgreater than the diameter of ball portion 54 to a rear apex or point 56.

Extending forward from ball portion 54 is a stem 57 having across-sectional diameter considerably less than the diameter of ballportion 54. The forward end of stem 57 terminates and is connected to adisc-shaped head 58 which has a diameter considerably greater than thediameter opening 52 in body portion 51. A helical spring 59 is mountedat its forward end to disc 58 in a convenient manner and at its rear endto body portion 5] also in any convenient manner.

The opening and closing of the valve portion of valve assembly 2lb willoccur during the same sequence of steps as outlined for the previousembodiments 21. 21' and 210. When sufficient pressure is exerted fromthe rear end of the syringe assembly, ball-shaped portion 54 will bedisplaced from engagement with shoulder 53 and spring 59 will becompressed as ball-shaped portion 54 moves to the forward side of bodyportion 51. Since rearwardly extending portion 55 is of a smallerdiameter than ball portion 54 and is constructed oi a plurality ofspaced ribs. fluid may pass between the ribs of portion 55 through theopening 52 and into the forward portion of syringe barrel 22. Whenpressure is relieved, ball portion 54 will reseat itself in engagementwith shoulder 53 assisted by the influence of helical spring 59returning to its normal position.

When a predetermined amount of pressure is exerted from the forwardportion of the syringe smembly, it will exert a force of disc 58 whichwill move rearwardly thereby compressing helical spring 59 which willexert suilicient force on ball 54 to displace it rearwardly with respectto body portion 51. This will provide an opening between the valvemember and the body portion to permit fluid to flow to the rear portionof the syringe assembly. When the pressure is relieved. the ball portion54 will return to its seated position into sealing engagement withshoulder 53 and will be assisted in this movement by the return ofhelical spring 59 to its normal expanded position. The amount ofpressure necessary to open the valve can be controlled in a variety ofdifferent ways such as those previously discussed as well as bycontrolling the tension in helical spring 59 which may be adjusted sothat a certain amount of pressure will be required to compress thespring.

It should also be noted that ball 54 is restricted in its movement inthe open direction by the fact that helical spring 59 is permanentlymounted to body portion 51 and disc 58. Furthermore, when ball portion54 is open in the forward direction, pointed stem 55 will have someportion of its length still remaining within opening 52 to assist inguiding ball portion 54 in its return to the seated position.Rearward-extending portion 55 is long enough so that there will never besufficient compression of spring 59 to displace it entirely from opening52. in this manner, the valve portion of the valve assembly 2lb willalways remain in proper position with respect to body portion 51 whetherthe valve is in the open or closed position. As previously discussed,the various steps in operating a syringe assembly of the bulb typecontains two-way valve retainer assembly 21b are identical to the stepsemployed with respect to the previously discussed embodiments designatedas 2], 21' and 210. All four valve assembly embodiments areinterchangeable in the particular environment chosen for their use.

Thus the above-mentioned objectives, among others. are achieved.

We claim:

I. A retainer valve assembly for a syringe comprising:

a body portion having means thereon for mounting said valve assembly inthe barrel of said syringe intermediate the ends thereof;

a reciprocally operating valve member movably mounted on said bodyportion and normally being seated in a central opening in said bodyportion to form a seal and isolate one end portion of the syringe fromthe other end portion and adapted to be unseated by sufficient pressurefrom either side thereof;

said valve member being responsive to a threshold pressure from eitherend portion of the syringe so as to unseat from said body portion andprovide a large enough opening to permit fluid and some solids to flowfrom one end portion of said syringe to the other end portion thereof.the threshold pressure needed to unseat the valve member being greaterthan the operating pressure needed to keep the valve open until adesired amount of fluid and solids are transferred and when theoperating pressure is relieved the valve member will return to itsnormal seated position thereby reforming the seal between the endportions of said syringe and alleviating the danger of leakage from thesyringe when the threshold pressure is not being applied;

wherein said body portion is a resilient hollow cylindrical memberadapted to be placed in sealing engagement with the inner wall of saidsyringe barrel around the entire circumlerence of said member, the valveportion being of resilient material and circular in configuration andbeing circumferentially mounted on the inner surface of said hollowmember, a reciprocally movable flap on said valve portion normally inthe closed position thereby permitting said valve assembly to seal oneend portion of the syringe from the other end portion, the flap beingresponsive to a predetermined amount of pressure from either end portionof the syringe to be thereby opened and provide a passageway from oneend of the syringe to the other end and the resiliency of the flappermitting the flap to return to the normally closed position when thepressure is relieved.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flap is formedby a V-shaped cut in the central part of the valve portion.

3; A retainer valve assembly for a syringe comprising:

a body portion having means thereon for mounting said valve assembly inthe barrel of said syringe intermediate the ends thereof;

a valve portion movably mounted on said body portion and normally beingseated in a central opening in said body portion to form a seal andisolate one end portion of the syringe from the other end portion;

said valve member being responsive to a predetermined amount of pressurefrom either end portion of the syringe so as to unseat from said bodyportion to permit fluid to flow from one end portion of said syringe tothe other end portion thereof and when said pressure is relieved thevalve member will return to its normal seated position thereby reformingthe seal between the end portions of said syringe and alleviating thedanger of leakage from the syringe when the predetermined amount ofpressure is not being applied;

said body portion including an elongated hollow cylindrical tube adaptedto be mounted in said syringe with the outer surface thereof engagingthe inner surface of said syringe;

a resilient circular diaphragm mounted in said tube in sea]- ingengagement therewith and having an opening therein;

an annular shoulder on the circumferential surface of said opening;

a pair of cages mounted on the inner surface of said tube with one cagelocated on one side of said diaphragm and the other cage on the otherside of said diaphragm;

each cage including an opening in the top surface thereof and a web ofmembers extending toward the diaphragm and arranged in circumferentialengagement with the inner surface of said tube;

the central portion of said web being opened so as to communicate withthe opening in the top surface of said cage;

the inner surface of each of said web members tapering outwardly as itapproaches the diaphragm thereby providing an open central area in saidcage with a larger diameter nearer the diaphragm and a smaller diameteradjacent the top surface of said cage;

the openings in said cages and said diaphragm communicating to provide apassageway between one end portion of the syringe and the other endportion thereof;

the valve portion of said assembly including a ball of a slightly largerdiameter than the inner diameter of the annular shoulder and normallypositioned in engagement with said shoulder in an interference fit tothereby prevent communication between the end portions of said syringe;

said ball being responsive to a predetermined amount of pressure fromthe direction of either end portion of said syringe so as to bedisplaced from engagement with said shoulder in either direction topermit opening of the passageway between the end portions of thesyringe; and

said cage is being positioned to receive and confine said ball when itis displaced without closing said passageway until the pressure isrelieved and said ball will return to its normal closed position ininterfering engagement with said annular shoulder.

4. A retainer valve assembly for a syringe comprising:

a body portion having means thereon for mounting said valve assembly inthe barrel of said syringe intermediate the ends thereof;

a valve portion movable mounted on said body portion and normally beingseated in a central opening in said body portion to form a seal andisolate one end portion of the syringe from the other end portion;

said valve member being responsive to a predetermined amount of pressurefrom either end portion of the syringe so as to unseat from said bodyportion to permit fluid to flow from one end portion of said syringe tothe other end portion thereof and when said pressure is relieved thevalve member will return to its normal seated position thereby reformingthe seal between the end portions of said syringe and alleviating thedanger of leakage from the syringe when the predetermined amount ofpressure is not being applied;

said body portion including a resilient circular diaphragm adapted to bemounted in said syringe barrel in sealing engagement therewith andhaving an opening therein;

an annular shoulder on the circumferential surface of said opening;

said valve portion including an elongated member having a plurality ofspaced ribs extending along the length thereof and a ballshaped portionmounted intermediate the ends thereof;

said valve portion having flanged head portions on both ends;

the ball-shaped portion having a slightly larger outer diameter than theinner diameter of said annular shoulder and normally positioned inengagement with said shoulder and in an interference fit to therebyprevent communication between the end portions of said syringe;

said ball-shaped portion being responsive to a predetermined amount ofpressure from the direction of either end portion of the syringe so asto be displaced from engagement with said shoulder in either directionto permit the opening to be exposed and provide communication betweenthe end portions of the syringe;

the flanged head portion having a larger diameter than the opening insaid diaphragm so that the displacement of said valve portion isrestricted to a desired distance by contact of a flanged head portionwith the diaphragm;

the flange on said head being spaced so that communication between theend portions of the syringe is not precluded when the head is in contactwith the diaphragm; and

said flanged head remaining in contact with said diaphragm until thepressure is relieved and then said ball-shaped portion will return toits normal closed position in interfering engagement with said annularshoulder.

5. A retainer valve assembly for a syringe comprising:

a body portion having means thereon for mounting said valve assembly inthe barrel of said syringe intermediate the ends thereof;

a valve portion movably mounted on said body portion and normally beingseated in a central opening in said body portion to form a seal andisolate one end portion of the syringe from the other end portion;

said valve member being responsive to a predetermined amount of pressurefrom either end portion of the syringe so as to unseat from said bodyportion to permit fluid to flow from one end portion of said syringe tothe other end portion thereof and when said pressure is relieved thevalve member will return to its normal seated position thereby reformingthe seal between the end portions of said syringe and alleviating thedanger of leakage from the syringe when the predetermined amount ofpressure is not being applied;

said body portion including a resilient circular diaphragm adapted to bemounted in said syringe barrel in sealing engagement therewith andhaving an opening therein;

an annular shoulder on the circumferential surface of said opening;

said valve portion having a pointed forward end tapering outwardly fromsaid point by means of a series of spaced longitudinal ribs whichterminate in a ball-shaped intermediate portion normally positioned incontact with said annular shoulder;

said ball-shaped intermediate portion having a larger outer diameterthan the inner diameter of said resilient annular shoulder therebyproviding an interference fit therebetween and preventing communicationbetween the end portions of said syringe;

a stem is connected to said intermediate portion and extends rearwardlytherefrom;

the rear end of said stem is connected to a disc-shaped head;

a helical spring surrounds said stem and is held in position by means ofconnection at one end with said diaphragm and at the other end with theforward surface of said discshaped head;

said intermediate portion being responsive to a predetermined amount ofpressure from the direction of either end portion of the syringe so asto be displaced from engagement with said shoulder in either directionto permit the opening to be exposed and provide communication betweenthe end portions of the syringe;

the spring being compressed when the intermediate portion is moved inone direction to thereby compensate by spring force for the pressure andrestrict the displacement distance of said intermediate portion andbeing extended when the intermediate portion is moved in the otherdirection to thereby compensate by spring force for the pressure andrestrict the displacement distance of said intermediate portion in theother direction; and

said intermediate portion adapted to return to its normal closedposition when the preuure is relieved into interfering engagement withsaid annular shoulder.

i i i t

1. A retainer valve assembly for a syringe comprising: a body portionhaving means thereon for mounting said valve assembly in the barrel ofsaid syringe intermediate the ends thereof; a reciprocally operatingvalve member movably mounted on said body portion and normally beingseated in a central opening in said body portion to form a seal andisolate one end portion of the syringe from the other end portion andadapted to be unseated by sufficient pressure from either side thereof;said valve member being responsive to a threshold pressure from eitherend portion of the syringe so as to unseat from said body portion andprovide a large enough opening to permit fluid and some solids to flowfrom one end portion of said syringe to the other end portion thereof,the threshold pressure needed to unseat the valve member being greaterthan the operating pressure needed to keep the valve open until adesired amount of fluid and solids are transferred and when theoperating pressure is relieved the valve member will return to itsnormal seated position thereby re-forming the seal between the endportions of said syringe and alleviating the danger of leakage from thesyringe when the threshold pressure is not being applied; wherein saidbody portion is a resilient hollow cylindrical member adapted to beplaced in sealing engagement with the inner wall of said syringe barrelaround the entire circumference of said member, the valve portion beingof resilient material and circular in configuration and beingcircumferentially mounted on the inner surface of said hollow member, areciprocally movable flap on said valve portion normally in the closedposition thereby permitting said valve assembly to seal one end portionof the syringe from the other end portion, the flap being responsive toa predetermined amount of pressure from either end portion of thesyringe to be thereby opened and provide a passageway from one end ofthe syringe to the other end and the resiliency of the flap permittingthe flap to return to the normally closed position when the pressure isrelieved.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flapis formed by a V-shaped cut in the central part of the valve portion. 3.A retainer valve assembly for a syringe comprising: a body portionhaving means thereon for mounting said valve assembly in the barrel ofsaid syringe intermediate the ends thereof; a valve portion movablymounted on said body portion and normally being seated in a centralopening in said body portion to form a seal and isolate one end portionof the syringe from the other end portion; said valve member beingresponsive to a predetermined amount of pressure from either end portionof the syringe so as to unseat from said body portion to permit fluid toflow from one end portion of said syringe to the other end portionthereof and when said pressure is relieved the valve member will returnto its normal seated position thereby re-forming the seal between theend portions of said syringe and alleviating the danger of leakage fromthe syringe when the predetermined amount of pressure is not beingapplied; said body portion including an elongated hollow cylindricaltube adapted to be mounted in said syringe with the outer surfacethereof engaging the inner surface of said syringe; a resilient circulardiaphragm mounted in said tube in sealing engagement therewith andhaving an opening therein; an annular shoulder on the circumferentialsurface of said opening; a pair of cages mounted on the inner surface ofsaid tube with one cage located on one side of said diaphragm and theother cage on the other side of said diaphragm; each cage including anopening in the top surface thereof and a web of members extending towardthe diaphragm and arranged in circumferential engagement with the innersurface of said tube; the central portion of said web being opened so asto communicate with the opening in the top surface of said cage; theinner surface of each of said web members tapering outwardly as itapproaches the diaphragm thereby providing an open central area in saidcage with a larger diameter nearer the diaphragm and a smaller diameteradjacent the top surface of said cage; the openings in said cages andsaid diaphragm communicating to provide a passageway between one endportion of the syringe and the other end portion thereof; the valveportion of said assembly including a ball of a slightly larger diameterthan the inner diameter of the annular shoulder and normally positionedin engagement with said shoulder in an interference fit to therebyprevent communication between the end portions of said syringe; saidball being responsive to a predetermined amount of pressure from thedirection of either end portion of said syringe so as to be displacedfrom engagement with said shoulder in either direction to permit openingof the passageway between the end portions of the syringe; and said cageis being positioned to receive and confine said ball when it isdisplaced without closing said passageway until the pressure is relievedand said ball will return to its normal closed position in interferingengagement with said annular shoulder.
 4. A retainer valve assembly fora syringe comprising: a body portion having means thereon for mountingsaid valve assembly in the barrel of said syringe intermediate the endsthereof; a valve portion movably mounted on said body portion andnormally being seated in a central opening in said body portion to forma seal and isolate one end portion of the syringe from the other endportion; said valve member being responsive to a predetermined amount ofpressure from either end portion of the syringe so as to unseat fromsaid body portion to permit fluid to flow from one end portion of saidsyringe to the other end portion thereof and when said pressure isrelieved the valve member will return to its normal seated positionthereby re-forming the seal between the end portions of said syringe andalleviating the danger of leakage from the syringe when thepredetermined amount of pressurE is not being applied; said body portionincluding a resilient circular diaphragm adapted to be mounted in saidsyringe barrel in sealing engagement therewith and having an openingtherein; an annular shoulder on the circumferential surface of saidopening; said valve portion including an elongated member having aplurality of spaced ribs extending along the length thereof and aball-shaped portion mounted intermediate the ends thereof; said valveportion having flanged head portions on both ends; the ball-shapedportion having a slightly larger outer diameter than the inner diameterof said annular shoulder and normally positioned in engagement with saidshoulder and in an interference fit to thereby prevent communicationbetween the end portions of said syringe; said ball-shaped portion beingresponsive to a predetermined amount of pressure from the direction ofeither end portion of the syringe so as to be displaced from engagementwith said shoulder in either direction to permit the opening to beexposed and provide communication between the end portions of thesyringe; the flanged head portion having a larger diameter than theopening in said diaphragm so that the displacement of said valve portionis restricted to a desired distance by contact of a flanged head portionwith the diaphragm; the flange on said head being spaced so thatcommunication between the end portions of the syringe is not precludedwhen the head is in contact with the diaphragm; and said flanged headremaining in contact with said diaphragm until the pressure is relievedand then said ball-shaped portion will return to its normal closedposition in interfering engagement with said annular shoulder.
 5. Aretainer valve assembly for a syringe comprising: a body portion havingmeans thereon for mounting said valve assembly in the barrel of saidsyringe intermediate the ends thereof; a valve portion movably mountedon said body portion and normally being seated in a central opening insaid body portion to form a seal and isolate one end portion of thesyringe from the other end portion; said valve member being responsiveto a predetermined amount of pressure from either end portion of thesyringe so as to unseat from said body portion to permit fluid to flowfrom one end portion of said syringe to the other end portion thereofand when said pressure is relieved the valve member will return to itsnormal seated position thereby re-forming the seal between the endportions of said syringe and alleviating the danger of leakage from thesyringe when the predetermined amount of pressure is not being applied;said body portion including a resilient circular diaphragm adapted to bemounted in said syringe barrel in sealing engagement therewith andhaving an opening therein; an annular shoulder on the circumferentialsurface of said opening; said valve portion having a pointed forward endtapering outwardly from said point by means of a series of spacedlongitudinal ribs which terminate in a ball-shaped intermediate portionnormally positioned in contact with said annular shoulder; saidball-shaped intermediate portion having a larger outer diameter than theinner diameter of said resilient annular shoulder thereby providing aninterference fit therebetween and preventing communication between theend portions of said syringe; a stem is connected to said intermediateportion and extends rearwardly therefrom; the rear end of said stem isconnected to a disc-shaped head; a helical spring surrounds said stemand is held in position by means of connection at one end with saiddiaphragm and at the other end with the forward surface of saiddisc-shaped head; said intermediate portion being responsive to apredetermined amount of pressure from the direction of either endportion of the syringe so as to be displaced from engagement with saidshoulder in either direction to permit the opening to be exposed andprovidE communication between the end portions of the syringe; thespring being compressed when the intermediate portion is moved in onedirection to thereby compensate by spring force for the pressure andrestrict the displacement distance of said intermediate portion andbeing extended when the intermediate portion is moved in the otherdirection to thereby compensate by spring force for the pressure andrestrict the displacement distance of said intermediate portion in theother direction; and said intermediate portion adapted to return to itsnormal closed position when the pressure is relieved into interferingengagement with said annular shoulder.